What’s the best burger in Spokane – and why?

May 28 is National Burger Day, so if you read this online at www.spokesman.com, you’re on a roll (OK, a bun, actually). If you’re reading this in today’s Food section, you need to ketchup.

So … back to more important matters, newsroom employees at The Spokesman-Review, in celebration of National Burger Day, were asked the following: What’s the best burger in Spokane – and why?

It’s a good thing, as the great Martha Stewart would say, that burgers are good at any time anywhere. Here are the picks (and there are no duplicate selections!):

The Steelburger at Steelhead Bar and Grill, 218 N. Howard St., https://steelheadbarandgrille.com/, in downtown Spokane is delicious. It has a beef patty that’s thick and juicy and layered with bacon, white cheddar, lettuce, tomato and grilled onions for a little sweetness. It’s so good! – Kate Kumangai, Voice editor and copy editor

The Single Burger, Durkin’s Liquor Bar, 415 W. Main Ave., www.durkinsliquorbar.com. The name is a misnomer, as the Single from Durkin’s comes with two ground chuck patties, flavorful and perfectly cooked. Simply topped with dill mayo, red onion, pickle and house-made American cheese – who knew American cheese could taste good? – the Durkin’s burger is tough to beat. – Carolyn Lamberson, assistant managing editor - features

I rarely, rarely order a burger when I go out. Like almost never. Hot off the grill. Nothing beats a homemade patty stuffed with mushrooms and onions and topped with blue cheese crumbles. Grill to bun to mouth. And an ice-cold brew. – Joe Palmquist, managing editor

Anasazi Bean Burger at the Two Seven, 2727 S. Mount Vernon, Suite 5, http://wedonthaveone.com/the-two-seven/ As a vegetarian, I love burgers but don’t love veggie patties that are pretending to be meat. The Anasazi Bean Burger, with its nutty flavor and great texture, has long been a favorite. Though it’s no longer available at the Elk, the Two Seven has it. And I always order the roasted corn pasta salad as my side. – Kimberly Lusk, deputy features editor

My favorite comes from the Palouse Bar and Grill, 2912 E. Palouse Highway, www.palousegrill.com, in the Target strip mall, which offers several excellent burgers. My favorite is the $13 Pub Burger. It’s a mouthful of juicy American Kobe beef served with pub sauce, cheddar, lettuce and tomato on a Kaiser bun. It’s simple but so sublime! – Jim Allen, reporter

The Smokehouse Bac’n Cheese Burger from Allie’s Vegan Pizzeria & Café, 1314 S. Grand Blvd. No. 6, http://alliesvegan.com/, is my favorite in Spokane. You can get a veggie burger at almost any restaurant these days, but it’s often a rendition of a plain hamburger with lettuce, tomato and ketchup. This one takes it up a notch with tempeh bacon, vegan cheddar cheese and barbecue mayo. Plus, the patty itself is flavorful because of the mix of brown rice, black beans, sunflower seeds and caramelized onions. – Lindsey Treffry, assistant managing editor - news

It’s hard to beat the Downriver Grill, 3315 W. Northwest Blvd., www.downrivergrill.com, for absolute decadence in a gourmet burger. Whether it’s off the menu, like the Dr. G’s Gourmet Burger with a certified Angus beef patty, portabello mushroom, gorgonzola fondue and crispy fried onions or one of the “Burger of the Moment” creations, it’s always a good burger and wonderful atmosphere. Subscribe to the Downriver Grill’s Instagram if you want your mouth to water every time a burger photo is posted. – Jesse Tinsley, photographer

I’ve got my go-to’s when it comes to Spokane’s best burgers: You simply can’t go wrong with the Super Bacon at Thrifty Scotsman Drive-In, a Whammy or two at Dick’s Hamburgers or just about any offering at Zip’s Drive-In. But since it’s National Burger Day, I’m going with what I just ate on National Burger Day: A simple cheeseburger and fries from the Brass Faucet Bar & Grill, 12525 E Sprague Ave., https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Brass-Faucet-Bar-Grill/116180088410133, in Spokane Valley. It’s cheap, fresh and flavorful. Throw in an extra few bucks and ask legendary bartender Susan to toss in a side of pull-tabs. You might get the whole meal for free, and then some. Then again, if you’re like my dad and me, you just dropped a C-note on two burgers and two drinks. Oh well, better luck next time. – Ralph Walter, sports editor

D. Lish’s Hamburgers, 1625 N. Division St., www.delish.com. Doesn’t the name say it all? D. Lish delivers a fresh, fantastic burger that tastes like it came off my backyard grill. But it didn’t. And it was quicker, with no hornets bugging me as I eat it. – Kristi Burns, Northwest Passages Book Club director

The Vegetarian Chickpea Burger at Prohibition Gastropub, 1914 N. Monroe St., www.facebook.com/prohibition.gastropub.spokane1/. During my first trip to Prohibition, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it offered a vegetarian burger. I thought the chickpea burger was really well seasoned, and the feta and lemon vinaigrette added a lot of flavor. A side of hand-cut fries (you can choose a side salad for $2 more) made for a complete, satisfying meal. Plus, I was with a great group of friends, which made the whole dinner that much better. – Azaria Podplesky, entertainment reporter

Spooner Burger at Wisconsinburger, 916 S. Hatch St., https://wisconsinburger.com, is ground beef, Wisconsin sharp cheddar, a spoonful of house-made bacon jam, lettuce, tomato and fried onion rings, or $13.10 with fries and a pickle spear. Made from freshly ground Washington premium Angus beef, it’s served on a hearty bun that won’t break apart as you scarf down this bad boy. So juicy and flavorful, no additional condiments are needed. The bacon jam made from scratch adds the perfect amount of salty and sweet and holds the lettuce, tomato, fried onion rings and cheese together. Wisconsinburgers are so well crafted that there’s no need to cut it in half. Even this loaded burger holds its shape. Order the fried cheese curds as a starter. – Chris Soprych, design editor

Red Robin Gourmet Cheeseburger, various locations, www.redrobin.com. It’s a simple burger but hits the spot. I order it without onions, relish and tomatoes. Very boring, I know – and you can’t beat those fries! – Mary Beth Donelan, newsroom manager